As of yesterday, I now have 500 rounds through the Ruger SR1911 I purchased three weeks ago. I have a double-feed situation I'd like to throw up for discussion on this and several other forums.

Let me begin by pointing out that I am not experiencing failures to feed (FTF) or failures to eject (FTE). Here's what seems to be happening. As the slide reaches its rearmost position and the empty case is ejected, the next cartridge in line in the magazine is popping up into the breech of its own accord. Then, as the slide begins its forward movement, the cartridge that the slide is trying to strip from the magazine runs into the cartridge already loose in the breech.

Regarding magazines and ammunition used: In addition to the seven- and eight-round magazines that came with the SR1911, I purchased an additional seven-round magazine from Ruger. All of my initial shooting was with handloads -- 230 gr hard-cast RN over 5.6 gr Unique with an OAL of 1.22". The problem always seemed to occur using seven-round magazines. Jam occurs every second or third magazine, usually third or fourth round in magazine.

While shooting over Memorial day, my brother-in-law handed me five ten-round Wilson magazines loaded with Federal (Walmart bargain) cartridges. The double-feed occured in the third of the five Wilson magazines using this new factory ammo.

Yesterday while testing some reduced loads (230 gr RN over 5.0 gr Unique and same 1.22" OAL for use in local matches) I had the same double-feed problem in every other seven-round magazine. However, it was not one or the other of the two magazines -- it happened with both. It never did occur in the eight-round magazine. (I was using a Wolff 16# spring with these light loads. The factory 18.5# spring was in place for all the previous loads.)

Before shooting this gun for the first time I completely stripped it, degreased it, and lubed it. (I also lapped the rails and did some other slick-up work.) I also thoroughly cleaned the magazines.

While the Ruger SR1911 is my first 1911, I am not new to handguns or autoloaders. I fired more than 7,000 rounds through my Beretta 92 FS and CZ 75 B last year. Neither has ever so much as hiccupped. Even my little Beretta 3032 Tomcat has been malfunction-free for more than 400 rounds.

It sounds to me that you need a lighter recoil spring. The recoil spring is slowing the slide too much so that it's not ejecting the case properly. Try a "standard GI" recoil spring or slightly hotter loads (230 gr ball).

It sounds to me that you need a lighter recoil spring. The recoil spring is slowing the slide too much so that it's not ejecting the case properly. Try a "standard GI" recoil spring or slightly hotter loads (230 gr ball).

Please note that there is not an ejection problem. Cases are being tossed 10 to 12 feet to my right and behind me. This is a double-feed.

As of yesterday, I now have 500 rounds through the Ruger SR1911 I purchased three weeks ago. I have a double-feed situation I'd like to throw up for discussion on this and several other forums.

Let me begin by pointing out that I am not experiencing failures to feed (FTF) or failures to eject (FTE). Here's what seems to be happening. As the slide reaches its rearmost position and the empty case is ejected, the next cartridge in line in the magazine is popping up into the breech of its own accord. Then, as the slide begins its forward movement, the cartridge that the slide is trying to strip from the magazine runs into the cartridge already loose in the breech.

Regarding magazines and ammunition used: In addition to the seven- and eight-round magazines that came with the SR1911, I purchased an additional seven-round magazine from Ruger. All of my initial shooting was with handloads -- 230 gr hard-cast RN over 5.6 gr Unique with an OAL of 1.22". The problem always seemed to occur using seven-round magazines. Jam occurs every second or third magazine, usually third or fourth round in magazine.

While shooting over Memorial day, my brother-in-law handed me five ten-round Wilson magazines loaded with Federal (Walmart bargain) cartridges. The double-feed occured in the third of the five Wilson magazines using this new factory ammo.

Yesterday while testing some reduced loads (230 gr RN over 5.0 gr Unique and same 1.22" OAL for use in local matches) I had the same double-feed problem in every other seven-round magazine. However, it was not one or the other of the two magazines -- it happened with both. It never did occur in the eight-round magazine. (I was using a Wolff 16# spring with these light loads. The factory 18.5# spring was in place for all the previous loads.)

Before shooting this gun for the first time I completely stripped it, degreased it, and lubed it. (I also lapped the rails and did some other slick-up work.) I also thoroughly cleaned the magazines.

While the Ruger SR1911 is my first 1911, I am not new to handguns or autoloaders. I fired more than 7,000 rounds through my Beretta 92 FS and CZ 75 B last year. Neither has ever so much as hiccupped. Even my little Beretta 3032 Tomcat has been malfunction-free for more than 400 rounds.

So, what do you think?

WAY too many variable combinations of ammo, springs, mags and ammo to try to troubleshoot. I would put in the factory spring and get a mega pack of UMC (250 rd) std 230gr ball ammo and get all the factory mags you own and go to the range and start from there to establish a baseline. THEN start one variable at a time...

By process of elimination you should be able to isolate the issue. So start with what we know should not happen...a round should not eject itself from an undamaged mag. Are the lips visibly damaged, springs too loose to hold round against lips when mag is half full? Since this happens with multiple mags and ammo you either: accidently damaged the mags, the gun itself is damaging the mags or you have the worst luck in history...I would go with a or b.

Barring damaged mags, the gun itself would have to be the culprit, duh I know, as the problem occurs with virtually all mag and ammo combinations. Something has to be bumping a round out of the mag before the slide cycles forward. Sorry I can't be of any more help. Is it possible to remove the recoil spring and manually cycle the slide to check for contact as the slide moves rearward?

__________________
"The whole of the Bill (of Rights) is a declaration of the right of the people at large or considered as individuals.... It establishes some rights of the individual as unalienable and which consequently, no majority has a right to deprive them of." (Albert Gallatin of the New York Historical Society, October 7, 1789)

"A free people ought not only to be armed and disciplined, but they should have sufficient arms and ammunition to maintain a status of independence from any who might attempt to abuse them, which would include their own government." - George Washington

When he 1st posted I thought that it was an ejection problem from the way he talked. So the mag is releasing the round before it's supposed to?

several different mags, different ammo brands apparently

__________________
"The whole of the Bill (of Rights) is a declaration of the right of the people at large or considered as individuals.... It establishes some rights of the individual as unalienable and which consequently, no majority has a right to deprive them of." (Albert Gallatin of the New York Historical Society, October 7, 1789)

"A free people ought not only to be armed and disciplined, but they should have sufficient arms and ammunition to maintain a status of independence from any who might attempt to abuse them, which would include their own government." - George Washington

Yeah, a mag shouldn't be just magically releasing a round on its own. As others have mentioned, stick with one kind of ammo. In this case, I would also recommend buying a bulk box of factory ammo. Take the reload component out of the equation and start with the mags. Someone else already mentioned, but I would number your mags so you can differentiate them and find the one(s) that are being used when the problem occurs. It wouldn't hurt to try some regular old 7-round milspec 1911 mags as well. They're only about $7 at my area gun shows.

I also don't understand why you're changing recoil springs in order for a lighter reload to function properly. Put the factory weight spring back in and adjust your loads to find the lightest load that reliably functions in your gun. My opinion is you won't be able to tell much difference in anything lower than that point anyway. And if you want to shoot super light loads, I'd switch to another caliber. But that's beside the point.